More ‘ScoreGate’ chaos as Laois hurling match ends in confusion

After ‘ScoreGate’ dominated the fallout from the All-Ireland Hurling semi-finals, more scoreboard controversy erupted at the weekend in Laois.

Tipperary’s win over Kilkenny at Croke Park earlier this month ended in farcical circumstances with the scoreboard on RTE and inside the stadium showing Tipperary with one more point than they actually had, due to a miscounted wide.

It didn’t impact the result, but there were many suggestions it impacted both teams’ tactical approach in the final minutes of the match.

And on Sunday, the SHC Round 1 match between Portlaoise and Camross ended in complete confusion when referee Brian Farrell had Portlaoise winning by a single point, 2-22 to 5-12, when in fact the the correct score was a draw.

Referee Farrell had instructed Laois GAA officials to take away a point from Camross at the second water break, but that decision was later reversed in a review after the match, meaning Camross had one more point than the final score suggested.

Portaloise thought they had won the match, with John Mark Foley scoring a goal with the final puck, and despite Portlaoise posting on their X account they had won by a point, Laois GAA confirmed afterwards it had ended Camross 5-13, Portlaoise 2-22.